Died On This Date (December 29, 2012) Mike Auldridge / Dobro Legend

Mike Auldridge
December 30, 1938 – December 29, 2012

Mike-AuldridgeMike Auldridge was a much respected master of the resophonic guitar, or as it is more commonly known, the dobro.  Born in Washington, DC, Auldridge began playing the guitar at the age of 13.  He eventually transitioned to the dobro, but didn’t began playing music full-time until he was around 40, when the Washington Star-News closed its doors.  He had had been earning his living as a graphic artist for the paper.  In 1971, Auldridge co-founded the Seldom Scene with a handful of musicians he jammed with each week.  The band, much to the chagrin of traditionalists, married bluegrass with jazz, folk, and rock.  By doing so, they were pioneers of progressive bluegrass, or what they called “acid grass,” which has been popularized by such jam bands as String Cheese Incident. As an in-demand session player, Auldridge played on records by Bill Monroe, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, and many more.   During the ’90s, he played in Chesapeake with former members of the Seldom Scene.  Over the course of his career, Auldridge was awarded a Grammy as well as numerous other accolades, and in 2012, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow.  Mike Auldridge was 73 when he died of cancer on December 29, 2012.

What You Should Own

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Click to find at amazon.com

Dobro / Blues and Bluegrass (Reissue) - Mike Auldridge

Died On This Date (September 12, 2012) Wade Mainer / The Grandfather Of Bluegrass

Wade Mainer
April 21, 1907 – September 12, 2011

At 104 years old, Wade Mainer was one of the last of bluegrass’ founding fathers.  He has been cited by no less than Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, and Bill Monroe as an influence on THEM.  Born and raised in the poverty of the Blue Ridge mountains, Mainer took up the banjo at local square dances where he’d pick up the bands’ instruments while they were on break in order to practice.  By the mid ’30s, he was making his first records as part of the Mountaineers.  Mainer left the group during the late ’30s and formed Sons of the Mountaineers which included Clyde Moody on guitar.  The group eventually signed to Bluebird Records who released their 1939 hit, “Sparkling Blue Eyes.”  During the late ’30s/early ’40s, Mainer cut some 165 records for RCA Victor – both solo and as part of other groups, making him one of the most prolific musicians of the era.  It should be noted that the Sons of the Mountaineers were instrumental in transitioning old-time music into bluegrass, and that Mainer’s unique two-finger style of banjo picking begat the technique of three-finger utilized in modern bluegrass.  In 1953, Mainer decided to retire from music in order to commit his life to Christianity.  He and his wife moved to Flint, Michigan where he spent the rest of his working life at General Motors.  He returned to music during the early ’60s when he was convinced to lend his skills to several gospel and religious themed records.  In 2008, Mainer celebrated his 101st birthday with a special concert.  Wade Mainer passed away peacefully on September 12, 2011.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (February 12, 2011) Bud Reed / Bluegrass Pioneer

Ralph “Bud” Reed
January 16, 1918 – February 12, 2011

Bud Reed was a respected bluegrass and old-timey musician who will be forever linked with his wife and musical collaborator, Ola Belle Reed.  After serving his country during WWII, Reed came home to focus on a music career, mainly that of his wife.  He can be heard playing guitar and harmonica on several of her records.  Over the years, the Reeds opened a handful of music-themed amusement parks in Pennsylvania.  Legends likes of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Ralph Stanley have all graced their stages from time to time.  In 1982, Reed cut his own album, a tribute to the songs of Jimmie Rodgers.  Bud Reed was 93 when he passed away on February 12, 2011.



Died On This Date (January 29, 2011) Sterling Belcher / Bluegrass Festival Founder

Sterling Belcher
June 14, 1939 – January 29, 2011

Sterling Belcher was a music promoter who founded the Festival of The Pines in Rocky Point, Virginia in 1981.  A tireless lover of bluegrass music, Belcher brought such acts as Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, Jimmy Martin and Rhonda Vincent to the sleepy surroundings of Tripple Creek Music Campground throughout the years.  He regularly received recognition for his commitment to bluegrass music from local, regional and national music associations.  Sterling Belcher was 71 when he passed away on January 29, 2011.

Died On This Date (August 16, 2002) Ola Belle Reed / Respected Folk Singer-Songwriter

Ola Belle Reed (Born Ola Campbell)
August 18, 1916 – August 16, 2002

Ola Belle Reed was a respected folk and old-timey singer-songwriter and banjo player.  She got her start playing with the North Carolina Ridge Runners in 1936.  In 1945, Reed was offered a slot in Roy Acuff’s band, but she declined.   In 1949, she married another musician, Bud Reed, who played with her both on record and live for many years to come.  Reed wrote upwards of 200 songs throughout her career, with a couple going on to be recorded by Del McCoury, Tim O’Brien and Marty Stuart.  Over the years, the Reeds opened a handful of music-themed amusement parks in Pennsylvania.  Legends likes of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Ralph Stanley have all graced their stages from time to time.   Ola Belle Reed suffered a stroke in 1987 and remained bedridden until her death on August 16, 2002.  She would have been 86 the next day.

What You Should Own

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Rising Sun Melodies - Ola Belle Reed